One of the climates that exists on the planet with more extreme conditions is the desert climate. It is characterized mainly by having a large part of drought caused by a shortage of annual rainfall. It is a type of climate where the evapotranspiration process and high temperatures reign. These ecosystems have been formed over the years through various climatic conditions that have generated these unique characteristics.
In this article we are going to tell you all the Characteristics, origin and importance of the desert climate.
Desert climate
In the desert climate the evapotranspiration process reigns. It is the loss of moisture that is localized on a surface due to direct evaporation caused by solar radiation and increased temperatures. To this was added the little perspiration that exists from the water of the plants. The evapotranspiration phenomenon causes the amount of rainfall to remain at a very low value throughout the year. Values that remain at 250 mm per year. This is a fairly rare figure, which characterizes the lack of vegetation and humidity in the environment. One of the best-known places on the planet as an example of a desert climate scenario is the Sahara Desert, a notable example.
This evapotranspiration process also occurs due to the terrain. Certain deserts located near cold ocean currents may limit or prevent evaporation, potentially adversely affecting overall humidity levels. The factors we have mentioned are those that generate the ecosystems known as coastal deserts.
The desert climate is generally characterized by being located near the tropics. The latitude in which most deserts are found are around 15 and 35 degrees. In all of these places, there are specimens of both flora and fauna that have managed to adapt to the prevailing extreme conditions. These species have developed adaptations to this way of life over thousands of years through the process of evolution. They have had to adapt by developing certain characteristics to combat the lack of water and temperature fluctuations.
When we refer to some deserts, we may associate them with a large amount of sand and very warm temperatures. However, a desert climate an arid climate can develop perfectly in Antarctica and in the northern arctic. And is that the desert climate is not only included in deserts, but also depends largely on humidity.
Key features
This type of climate can occur in cold areas because it receives very little moisture and snow falls. It should be noted that rainfall in these climates occurs very sporadically, which is why it manifests itself in the form of thunderstorms. After the precipitation process occurs, streams and soils swell with water as they do not have much permeabilityThis is where surface runoff plays a fundamental role in water distribution. These rains only last a few hours, and the same is true of surface runoff. Given the high temperatures and soil type, water tends to evaporate easily.
Among the characteristics that distinguish the desert climate is the lack of humidity. This is the most notable characteristic of this type of climate. Dryness is what is first found in these places. Not only is the soil very dry, but the air is as well. Most regions with a desert climate have a higher evaporation rate than precipitation. All of this leads to a net loss of moisture. In some hot deserts, rain is able to evaporate before reaching the ground. However, when episodes of fairly heavy precipitation occur, they usually create some bursts of plant and animal life. Thanks to this, some desert areas can be considered that are not entirely inhospitable.
Heat and cold are two other characteristics that make the desert climate stand out. While some deserts remain warm year-round, other arid areas experience colder winters and hot summers. There are also deserts with a very pronounced daily temperature fluctuation between day and night. Despite all this, the winter temperatures experienced in these places never come close to freezing. Therefore, even though the nights are colder, because there is no vegetation to retain the heat received during the day, temperatures as low as this are not recorded.
In the context of all this, an unprepared traveler cannot expose themselves to an arid climate, as they may suffer heatstroke during the day or die of hypothermia at night.
Desert climate factors
In this kind of weather evaporations are greater than precipitations. The evaporation rate is higher than the precipitation rate. This prevents the soil from supporting plant life. In parts of the Middle East, they receive an average of 20 centimeters of rain per year. However, the evaporation rate exceeds 200 centimeters. This means that the evaporation rate is up to 10 times higher than the precipitation rate. As a result, the ambient humidity is very low.
The average temperature in these arid regions is 18 degrees. This temperature value fluctuates 24 hours a day. You can find values up to 30 degrees. All the oscillations are basically due to the lack of vegetation that can regulate temperatures well. Therefore, the soil is very hot during the day and very cold at night.
As for rainfall, it is not only scarce but also very irregular. This entire scenario is due to the continuous influence of so-called tropical anticyclones. In the more semi-arid areas, there are months of drought, but also rainy months. In deserts, the rains remain dry throughout the year. When precipitation occurs, it occurs as heavy downpours. These waters usually feed the rivers of the desert that are known by the name of wadis. Although rainfall is abundant, albeit short-lived, it never reaches the sea, as it dries up before reaching its full potential. The wadis remain dry most of the year.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the desert climate, its characteristics and importance.